The season kicks off Dec. 7 with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, signaling the start of the Pageant of Peace. A festive crowd gathers near the White House Ellipse to watch the President and First Lady illuminate the glorious tree. The Pageant of Peace—a series of free holiday musical performances—continues nightly through Dec. 31. Members of Congress gather for a tree-lighting ceremony of their own at the U.S. Capitol, usually held a few days after the National Christmas Tree lighting. (Note to editors: Tickets are required to view the lighting ceremony.)

In cooperation with The Royal Norwegian Embassy, magnificent Union Station will also put on a spectacular holiday show with its annual Norwegian Christmas celebration. The beloved Union Station model train, complete with Norwegian fjords, mountains and towns, will become operational on Nov. 21 in the West Hall. On Nov. 28, lights will twinkle on Union Station’s acclaimed 30-foot Norwegian Christmas tree after a tree-lighting ceremony in the Main Hall. And a holiday bazaar will offer one-of-a-kind Norwegian gifts and samples of traditional seasonal flavors to holiday shoppers and travelers Dec. 1-2.

Ford’s Theatre’s presents the uplifting story of redemption found in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (Nov. 15 – Dec. 30), an adaption of the Charles Dickens classic that features the familiar faces of Mrs. Dilbert, Nephew Fred, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, and the ghost of Bob Marley. An equally classic holiday work, Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 21-24) will be performed at the Kennedy Center by the National Symphony Orchestra and Cathedral Choral Society. And the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents MISTLETOE and MEMORIES, a musical exploration of holiday traditions, at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium (Dec. 2-3).

Washington, DC’s theatres have long been a popular destination for holiday travelers, and this year’s lineup of productions promises no exception. The Shakespeare Theatre Company will unveil an adaptation of The Beaux’ Strategem started by Thornton Wilder and completed by Ken Ludwig (Nov. 7 – Dec. 31). And the National Theatre is one of few stops for a touring production of Legends, starring Joan Collins and Linda Evans as aging, feuding movie stars (Nov. 21 – Dec. 3). The National Theatre also presents Movin’ Out, a Broadway Tony Award-winning musical starring Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel (Dec. 5-23). And at the Kennedy Center, Adam Guettel’s The Lights in the Piazza (Dec. 19 – Jan. 7) is on stage in the opulent Opera House.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the Nutcracker—and Washington, DC offers it up in different styles. The Kennedy Center hosts the Joffrey Ballet for a traditional production Nov. 22-26. The Washington Ballet sets its production in 1890s Georgetown (performances run Dec. 1-24). The Momentum Dance Theatre updates the classic story, recruits a cast of talented local performers and presents it as the Jazz Hip-Hop Nutcracker (weekends of Dec. 9 & 16).

The holidays also offer visitors the chance to see attractions in the surrounding suburbs in a whole new light. George Washington’s Mount Vernon shows its colonial hospitality with special evening candlelight tours that showcase the Washingtons’ Christmas traditions. Tours are offered Nov. 24 through Dec. 10; tickets go on sale Nov. 1.

Historic Old Town Alexandria offers its own holiday celebrations. In a 19th century candlelight tour on Dec. 1, visitors stop in to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House, where period music, seasonal decor and costumed guides await. During the annual Scottish Christmas Walk on Dec. 2, more than 100 tartan-clad Scottish clans serenade on-lookers with bagpipes, interspersed with dog clubs, antique cars and festive sites.

And for holiday shopping, there’s no place like Washington, DC. After Thanksgiving, the District kicks off the holiday shopping season with a Sales Tax Holiday, waiving sales tax on clothing, shoes and accessories priced at $100 or less. Shoppers flock to neighborhoods and landmarks like Georgetown, Logan Circle and Eastern Market for holiday open houses and unique shopping possibilities. For one of a kind gifts, look for special hours and discounts at the city’s museum gift shops.

Additional information about this year’s holiday events will be available in the coming weeks. Check washington.org for details.

Related Articles

Travelers Staying Home for the HolidaysTripAdvisor Survey Shows Majority of Travelers Like to ‘Escape’ Family at the Holidays; This Year, They’re Staying Home Respondents Weigh in on Top Gifts, How to Avoid Security Delays This Holiday Season and How They Really Feel about Friends NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ —...

Santa Claus Visits Home of the First Christmas TreeWhen searching for the historical beginning of the first Christmas tree, one must go very deep into the past. Just like Santa Claus, one finds that the first Christmas tree was combination of many different facts, legends and customs all starting in the Baltic countries...

Washington, DC Prepares For Landmark Shakespeare FestivalAll the city’s a stage in 2007 as Washington, DC launches as six-month tribute to William Shakespeare. From January through June, more than 40 arts organizations will come together for Shakespeare in Washington, a landmark festival of theatre, music, dance, films and art exhibits at...

Aussies Stay Home for Their Summer HolidaysSYDNEY, Australia, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Australians have spent their summer holidays largely in Australia for 2005/2006 according to leading online accommodation provider, HotelClub (www.HotelClub.net/hotel.reservations). With an increased capacity to travel (due to Christmas, New Year and school holidays*) most Australians favored domestic travel over...